At the invitation of HM The Queen and HRH The Prince Consort, Slovakia’s President, His Excellency Ivan Gašparovič, and his wife, Silvia Gašparovičová, will pay a state visit to Denmark 23-24 October 2012.

The Queen and The Prince Consort will be the hosts for the Slovakian president couple and at the state dinner, which will be held at Fredensborg Palace on Tuesday, 23 October at 20.00. 

Besides the official reception, the state visit will focus on further development of economic and commercial relationships, especially in the areas of innovation, green technology and energy efficiency. In addition, there will be a focus on, among other things, social issues and Danish architecture during the visit. 

It is the first time that a Slovakian head of state will visit Denmark, whereas The Queen and The Prince Consort made a state visit to Slovakia in 1994.

Tuesday, 23 October 2012 

Joint programme 

Arrival ceremony at airport, Vilhelm Lauritzen’s terminal 
10.30 
HE President Ivan Gašparovič and Mrs. Silvia Gašparovičovás, arrive at the Copenhagen Airport, Vilhelm Lauritzen’s terminal. The president couple will be greeted by HM The Queen, HRH The Prince Consort and members of the royal family. 

The Royal Life Guard’s honour guard will be inspected. 

Official welcome at Fredensborg Palace 
11.40 
HE President Ivan Gašparovič and Mrs. Silvia Gašparovičovás arrive at Fredensborg Palace escorted by the Royal Hussar Guard Regiment’s horse squadron. Official photographing with the President couple, The Queen and The Prince Consort will take place in Harsdorff Hall. 

HE President Ivan Gašparovič’s programme 

Confederation of Danish Industry 
13.00 
The President and HRH The Crown Prince participate in the Danish-Slovakian Innovation & Business Forum at the Confederation of Danish Industry. The Crown Prince and the President will give speeches during the seminar. 
 
Mrs. Silvia Gašparovičovás’ programme 

Gladsaxe Gymnasium 
13.20 
The First Lady visits Gladsaxe Gymnasium and is introduced to the use of laptop computers in the teaching and in the co-operation between Gladsaxe Gymnasium and its Slovakian partner school. 

8-Tallet, Ørestaden 
15.20 
The First Lady gets a tour of the building 8-Tallet in Ørestaden. 

Joint programme 

Opening of exhibition at Ørestad Library 
16.00 
The President couple will be present at the opening of the photo exhibition ”Magic Slovakia” and the children’s book illustration exhibition ”Peter’s Peter Pan”, whose curators are BIBIANA Slovakia and BIBIANA Denmark, at Ørestad Library. 

State dinner at Fredensborg Palace 
20.00 
The Queen and The Prince Consort host a state dinner at Fredensborg Palace, where the Crown Prince Couple and TRH Prince Joachim and Princess Marie will also participate. There will be official speeches by HM The Queen and HE President Ivan Gašparovič. 

Wednesday, 24 October 2012 

Joint programme 

Velux 
09.45 
The President couple visit the company Velux in Hørsholm. They will be shown around the factory and briefed about energy-saving solutions in the Velux House. 

HE President Ivan Gašparovič’s programme 

The Danish Parliament 
10.45 
The President visits the Danish Parliament, Christiansborg Palace, where there will be meetings with the Parliament’s Speaker, Mogens Lykketoft, and Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt. 

Mrs. Silvia Gašparovičovás’ programme 

Geelsgårdsskolen 
10.30 
The First Lady and HRH The Crown Princess visit the special school Geelsgårdsskolen in Virum and witness various methods of teaching the school’s children and young people. 

Rosenborg Palace 
11.45 
The First Lady and The Crown Princess inspect the exhibition of crown jewels at Rosenborg Palace. 

Joint programme 

Boat tour through Copenhagen’s canals 
14.45 
The President couple are briefed from the harbour front about some of Copenhagen’s solutions regarding sustainability and water treatment. They sail from Christian’s Wharf through Copenhagen’s canals. 

Slovakian reciprocal event 
17.30 
HE President Ivan Gašparovič and Mrs. Silvia Gašparovičovás, hold a reciprocal event at the Admiral Hotel in honour of HM The Queen and HRH The Prince Consort.